Holy Days of Obligation

On Sundays and other "Holy Days of Obligation," Catholics are obliged to participate in the Mass and to refrain from unnecessary work and all spiritually-distracting activities.

In addition to Sunday, the days to be observed as "Holy Days of Obligation" in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, in conformity with canons 1246-1247 of The Code of Canon Law and various specific decisions of the Holy See, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Bishops of the State of Louisiana, are as follows:

bulletJanuary 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God;
bulletAugust 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary;
bulletNovember 1, the Solemnity of All Saints;
bulletDecember 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the USA;
bulletDecember 25, the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas).

There are three additional rules which apply:

  1. Throughout the universal Church, when December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, falls on the Second Sunday of Advent, the observance of the feast is transferred to Monday, December 9, but the obligation to attend Mass is dispensed. If December 8 falls on a Saturday or a Monday, however, it remains a day of obligation.
     
  2. In the dioceses of the USA, whenever January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, or August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption, or November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, falls on a Saturday or on a Monday, the obligation to attend Mass is dispensed.
     
  3. In the Metropolitan Province of New Orleans, which includes the Diocese of Baton Rouge, the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord, which in some other places in the USA is celebrated on the Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter, is celebrated on the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

There is no obligation for the faithful to participate at Mass on Ash Wednesday and on Holy Thursday, although this is certainly highly recommended.

For particular Mass schedules, please contact the individual Parish office. Click here to access menus of these Church Parishes in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.